Head of Product Operations

Ford Credit is looking for a Head of Product Operations to lead the operational excellence of our European Product function. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role focused on building the systems, processes, and AI-enabled capabilities that empower high-performing product teams. As a technical leader and individual contributor, you will shape the product operating model across Europe, driving automation, standardisation, and cross-regional alignment with our North American teams to enable scalable, efficient product delivery.Contract details: Contract type: Full-timeLocation: Dunton About Product Operations at Ford CreditProduct Operations is a strategic enablement function that accelerates product delivery, improves product maturity, and removes operational friction across our European portfolio. You will own and continuously evolve the infrastructure, tooling, and operating model that supports our product teams, treating internal workflows as a product in their own right.

What We're Looking ForEssential CriteriaDedicated Product Operations & Product Management Background: 5 or more years of professional experience, including a background as a practicing Product Manager followed by hands-on experience building, scaling, and managing internal infrastructure within a Product Operations function. Advanced Tooling & Automation Mastery: Practical experience configuring and administering Jira, Airtable, Confluence, and Miro, including building custom workflows, databases, and API integrations. AI Curiosity & PDLC Automation: Experience leveraging generative AI, prompt engineering, or automation scripts to streamline the product development lifecycle. Modern Ways of Working & Coaching: Deep understanding of modern product management frameworks (continuous discovery, empowered teams, lean product development) with the ability to coach teams and collaborate with global operations peers. Pragmatic Compliance Integration: Experience navigating product delivery
and compliance in regulated environments, translating complex requirements into automated, frictionless guardrails. Desirable CriteriaTechnical Scripting: Familiarity with JavaScript, Python, or automated workflow builders (like Zapier or Make) to connect product tools.Continuous Improvement Certification: Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile Coaching methodologies.

What You'll Be DoingArchitect the Tech Stack & Workflows: Configure, scale, and optimise our tooling ecosystem (Jira, Airtable, Confluence, Miro), building custom integrations, automation scripts, and compliant workflows while collaborating with North American counterparts. Pioneer AI-Augmented Workflows: Build and deploy AI-powered templates and automated workflows using Large Language Models (LLMs) to draft PRDs, write release notes, and generate test cases. Drive Cycle Planning & Budget Support: Own annual and cycle planning frameworks that sync with North American planning cadences, while providing operational support to manage and optimise the EU product budget. Optimise Ways of Working: Partner deeply with Engineering Operations and North American product teams to align methodologies, integrate toolchains, and continuously improve joint ways of working and PDLC cycle times. Act as a Product Culture Champion: Shape a high-performing product culture by establishing feedback loops to
diagnose behavioural friction, driving mindset shifts around accountability, and creating shared spaces for product collaboration. Improve Stakeholder Communication: Establish automated, transparent reporting channels that keep cross-functional business stakeholders aligned with product roadmaps and progress. Nurture Talent, Training & Skills: Roll out and maintain our product skills assessment framework, translating findings into tailored team and individual training plans. Provide Hands-On Leadership: Act as a player coach, executing technical tooling and automation tasks while mentoring a small team of operations specialists.